Smyrna times., 1887-03-02
LOST ON THE PLAINS.

miles, not q tree, not G shrub, not n single
thing in sight, exceIH now and then,
dotted here and there, a few black spots
in the bOundless sea of brown.
This is the way it was when my parents
took me, then only q lad across the plains
more than thirty years ago. How differ
ent now with the engine tearing,
smoking and screeching across at the rate
of 500 miles or more a day There are
many. many houses on the plains now.
The pioneers have planted great forests of
trees, and there are also vast cOrnfields,
and the songs of happy harvesters are
heard here. But the great black spots
that dotted the sea of brown are gone for
ever. Those dark spots were herds of
countless bison, or buffalo, as they were
generally called
One sultry morning in July as the sun
rose up and blazed with uncommon ardOr,
a herd of buffalo was seen grazing quietly
close to our train, and some of the younger
boys who had guns and pistols, and who
were dying to kill buffalo, begged their
parents to let them ride out and take a
shot
As it was only a natural desire and
seemed a simple thing to do, small party
of boys was soon ready. The men were
Obliged to stay with the train and drive
the oxen; for the tents had already been
struck and the loRg white line had begun
to creep slowly away over the level, brown
sea toward the next water, a little blind
stream that stole through the willows some
fifteen miles away to the west.
There were in OUT train two sons of a
rich and rather important man. And
they were now first in the saddle and
ready to take the lead. But as they were
vain and selfish and had always had a big
opinion of themselves, their father knew
they had not learned much about anything
else.
There was also in the train a sad faced,
silent boy, barefOoted and all in rags, for
his parents had died with cholera the day
after we had crossed the Missouri river,
and he was left helpless and alone. He
hardly spoke to any one, and as for the
rich mans sons, they would sooner have
thought of speaking to their negro cook
than to him.
As the boys sat ON their horses ready to
90 and the train Of wagons rolled away,
the rich man came up to the barefOOted
boy and said;
''See here, Tatters, go along with my
boys and bring back the game"
But l have no horse, sir, - replied the
sad faced boy.
''Well, take mine; l will get in the
wagon and ride there until you come
back, " urged the anxious father.
But l have no gun, no pistols or knife, -
added the boy.
Here, jump on my horse, and 1 will
fit you out, cried the rich man.
When the barefOOted boy had mounted
the horse the man buckled his own belt
around the lad and swung his rifle over
the bow.
How the boys face lit up! His young
heart beat like drum with delight as the
party bounded away after the buffalo
The wagons creaked and crawled away
to the west of the great, grassy plain, the
herd of buffalo shifted the young hunters,
and, lifting their shaggy heads, shook
them angrily, and then turned away like
n dark, retreating tide of the sea, with
the boys bounding after them in hot pur-
suit.
1t was long and exciting chase Tat
ters soon passed the rest of the boys, and
pressing hard on the herd, after nearly an
hour of splendid riding, threw himself
from the saddle and, taking aim, fired
The brothers came up soon, and dis
mounting as fast as their less practiced
limbs would let them, also fired at the re-
treating herd.
When the dust and smoke cleared away
fine, fat buffalo lay rolling in the grass
before them. Following the example of
Tatters, they loaded their guns where
they stood, as all cautious hunters do, and
then went up to the game.
The barefOoted boy at once laid his
finger on a bullet hole near the region OF
the heart and looked upat the others
Il aimed about therep' shouted one
''And so did ~ cried the other, eagerly.
Without saying a word, but with very
significant look, the barefOOted boy took
out his knife, and unobserved pricked
two holes with the point of it close by the
bullet hole. Then he put his finger there
and again looked at the boys. They came
down OH their knees wild with delight In
an instant. They had really helped kill a
buffalo. In fact, they had killed it!
For are not two bullets better than
One?'' they cried.
'Tatters, cut me off the tail, - said one.
''And cut me of the name; 1 want il tc
make a coat cOHaPfor my father, " shouted
the other.
Without word the boy did as he was
bid, and then securely fastened the trophies
ON behind their saddles.
Now let's Overtake the train, and tel
father all about killing our first buffalo. >
'And won't he be delighted, thought
said the other, as he clambered up to the
saddle and turned his face in every direc
ton. looking for some trace Of the wagons
But where are theyl' cried the brother
Both the brothers laughed a little ri
iirst and then grew very sober
THAT is the way they went, " said one
pointing off.
''Ye-yes, l think that is the way. But
wonder why we can't see the wagonsY'
We have galloped a long way. ant
then th0y have Seen going in the otbel
direction If You go that way you viii
ne lost W hen we started I noticed
thaj D. Train was moving toward sunset
ana That the sun was moving over oul
lclt shoulder as we looked after the train
we must go in elis direction, or we shall
oe lost" mildly and firmly said the bare
footed boy, as he drew his belt FIGHTER anf
prepared for the work"
The other boys only looked disdainfull,
ut the speaker as he sat on his horse. and
shading his eyes with his hand. looked
away III the direction he wished to 90.
1heh they talked a moment amont
themselves, and taking out their pocke
ingly. A''O"
l-i'+AAg PsOPlC NAlllk LllUb n com
pass Will lead them out Of almost an
place where they are lost This is n mis-
take A compass is only OF use when yOt
cannot see the sun. And even then vo
must have coolness and patience and goo
sense to get on with it at all 1t can n
DeSt only gnide yOn from one object {
another, and so keep you I'm straioh
Inc and prevent you from going aroun
ana around. But when the plain is ON
VAST, level sea, without a single obiec
arising up out Of it as a guide, what is
DVy 70 dog 1t takes cool head, boys @
man S, to use a compass on the plains.
Come Onl That is right" cried III
eluer Oh the two hunters, and they darte
away, with Tatters far in the rear.
f, They rode hard and and hot for n fu
hopr, getting more frightened and goin
iuster at every jump. The sun was hig
IA the heavens. Their horses were an I
foam ''''
see something at last. " said one Z
ne STOOD up in his stirrups, and then Sc
tIls BACK in his seat he laid on whip an
spun ana rode fast and furious stFaipI
Ior dark object that lay there in n
plain. sf7'@' 1--'''- i''
Soon they came to it. 1t was a .dea
buffalo, They knew now that fbev ~
been riding in the fatal circle that ineoI
death if yOu do not break it and eseone
Very meek and very penitent felt n
beys as Iatters came riding up slow
after them They were very tired IN
thirsty. They seemed TO themselves
have shrunken up to about half the
nsuai SIC. Meekiy they lifted their cv